File for papers



UNITED STATES PATENT Enron.

CHARLES H. VAN ALSTINE, OF OCONOMOVVOC, VISCONSIN.

' FILE FOR PAPERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,821, dated September 1, 1896. Application filed June 29,1892. Serial No, 438,433. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, QHAELES H. VAN AL- STINE, of Oconomowoc, in the county of Taukesha and State of NVisc-onsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Files for Papers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The main object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive convenient file for holding, arranging, and preserving papers.

It consists, essentially, of certain novel features hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings like letters designate the same parts in the several figures.

Figure l is an inside perspective view of my improved ille opened iiat. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the le closed with the cords or bands in position for inserting papers therein or removing them therefrom. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the ile containing papers with the cords or bands arranged to hold them therein, and Fig. 4.- is a back view of a number of files as they are arranged and stand in a filing-case or upon a shelf.

The lile may be made of heavy cardboard or other suitable material possessing the requisite stiffness. It consists of a back A and two covers B B, formed with or joined to the back at o, o., like or similar to the back and covers of a book. The iile is provided with cords or bands C C, arranged to be placed around its open ends and edge opposite the back, so as to hold the covers in place and retain the contents of the iile therein. Notches or indentations b b' are made in the ends of the covers and in their edges opposite the back A to receive and hold the cords or bands C C in place, to prevent abrasion thereof when the file is stood on its end or open edge, and to permit the file to stand squarely and firmly on end, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The cords or bands C C may be conveniently attached to the file by inserting them through perforations in and knotting them on the inner sides of covers B B. l prefer to arrange these cords or bands in pairs, as shown in the drawings, securing them at the ends in the covers at o c some distance from their edges and opposite the notches Zi b', into which they are drawn to holdn the covers in place and to retain the contents of the iile therein, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

For inserting papers in or withdrawing them from the iile the cords or bands C C are withdrawn from the open edge of the file over the ends, as shown in Fig. 2. To secure the contents of the le in place therein, two of the cords or bands are drawn over the open edge opposite back A into the notches b Z1' in the covers, while the other two cords or bands are left around the ends in the notches b h, as shown in Fig. 3.

For the purpose of storage and shipment in condensed space the file may be opened and laid flat, as shown in Fig. l.

1When constructed of cardboard or similar material, the joints `between the back and covers are produced by simply bending or breaking the cardboard or other material in parallel lines, as indicated at ct a in Fig. l. It is obvious, however, that in constructing the iile of heavier material the back and covers may be made separately and joined by strips of flexible material, or in any other suitable manner which will admit of the covers being opened and closed. upon the back like the covers of a book.

Various changes in the minor details of the device, such as the arrangement and attachment of the cords or bands, the relative dimensions and material of the back and covers and the means of connecting them, may be made within the spirit and intended scope of my invention.

l claiml. A le for papers consisting of a bach` and two covers haring exible connections therewith, and elastic cords orbands attached at their ends to opposite vcovers approximately equidistant from their ends and sides and passing outside thereof so as to be stretched over the open side or ends of the ile, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A tile for papers consisting of a back and two covers having flexible connections therewith and notches in their edges and ICO elastic cords or bands attached. at their endsto opposite covers approximatelyequidistant from their ends andsides and passing outside thereof so as to be stretched over the open side or ends of the file, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A file for-papers `consisting ota back and two covers having flexible connections therewith and notches in their open sidezmd end edges, end elastic cords or bands attached in pairs at their ends to opposite covers at points ,opposite sind4 approximatelyequidis- 

